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Edler and Sealy capture titles in Orlando

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ORLANDO, Fla.– With the 2009-2010 season coming to a close, the International Junior Golf Tour made one last stop for their inaugural Tournament of Champions event at Grand Cypress Resort.

Competitors took part in a three-day 54 hole event on both the North/South and New Courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. Despite several suspensions of play due to inclement weather, the field was able to battle the elements and stifling heat.

Hyun placed second after shooting a final-round 68.

In the boys division, Charles Edler of Fair Haven, N.J. took a 2-stroke lead into the final round on Sunday and was able to close the door to take home first-place honors. After firing opening round scores of 72 and 73, Edler came out firing on Monday and never looked back.

Edler carded a 4-under par round of 67 on the New Course making a mirage of birdies throughout the day to fuel his victory. Edler finished in red figures with a 3-under par tournament total of 212. Coming in second was Noori Hyun of Centerville, Va. Hyun bounced back from a second round 77 to shoot a spectacular 3-under par round of 68 on Monday. Hyun finished just 3-strokes behind Edler with a score of 215. Rounding out the top three was George Cunningham of Litchfield Park, Ariz.

“I knew going into Monday with a small lead that I needed to shoot in the 60’s on the New Course to win the tournament. I just tried to buckle down and focus on my putting and I was lucky enough to make some today,” said Edler. “The turning point for me was when I missed a 1 footer on 8. After that, I was able to collect myself and turn things around.”

The girls division was decided on the final stretch of holes in a comeback. Monifa Sealy of Glencoe, Trinidad and Tobago went into Monday 5-strokes off the lead and fired a 69 to take home first place. Sealy finished the tournament at 3-under-par 212. Taking second place honors was Ri Hyang Park of Fujieda-Shi-Shizuoka, Japan. Park jumped out to an early lead after posting rounds of 71 and 67 but was unable to hold on. Park finished with an even-par score of 215.

After joking with her coach about winning the tournament on Sunday, the shocked Sealy talked about her amazing comeback trail. “I was five strokes behind the leader and I just tried to fight and chase down the leader. I couldn’t believe it when I found out I won.”